St. Joseph County, Indiana - The City of South Bend, 1907 (part 11 of 11)

Norman E. Parks. In the early settlement and subsequent history of St. Joseph county the Parks family have been very prominent, and for the long period of fiftyeight years Norman E. Parks has made his home within its borders and been prominently identified with its interests. His birth occurred in Mishawaka on the 19th of March, 1849. His father, Isaac K. Parks, a native of Pen Yan, Yates county, New York, was one of the early pioneers of Mishawaka, coming to this city during his early boyhood days. In Elkhart, Indiana, he was united in marriage to Sarah A. Huntsman, who was a member of the first family that located in that city, while to her sister belongs the distinction of being the first white woman to reside in Penu township, St. Joseph county. The family removed from Ohio to Elkhart. For many years in addition to his agricultural pursuits Isaac Parks conducted a peddling wagon, and during several years he served as the constable of Mishawaka, taking a very active part in the early political history of this locality. He lived to the age of sixtyfour years, while his wife was eighty-two ere she was called to the home beyond, and they were the parents of five sons, namely : Lieutenant Seth Parks, who was killed during the battle of Chickamauga during the Civil war; Horace, who served throughout that conflict and is now a farmer in Johnson county, Kansas; Robert M., who was a member of Company B, Seventh Illinois Cavalry during the Civil war, but was captured by the Confederates three weeks after his enlistment and remained as a prisoner of war for thirteen months and died sixteen days after his exchange; Norman E., whose name introduces this review ; and Eben, who resides in Mishawaka, his native city. All of the five sons were born in this city.

AVhen but five years of age Norman E. Parks accompanied his parents on their removal to a farm five miles northeast of Mishawaka, where he remained until his thirteenth year, going thence to the place on which he now resides. For many years he had been engaged in the nursery business for his uncle, George C. Merrifield. The old home now lies within the corporate limits of Mishawaka and is platted and laid out into town lots, on which have been erected many buildings. The land is located on Second street, and is one of the valuable additions of the city. Probably no family has been more influential in this section of the state than has the Parks, and the name is favorably known on account of the active part which the owners have borne in its varied interests. Norman Parks gives his political support to the Democratic party, and is a popular member of the Knights of Pythias and the Elks fraternities of South Bend.

Edmund B. Byrkit. Since the early days of St. Joseph's history the Bj^rkit family has occupied a distinctive place, it having been founded within the borders of the county by Edmund Byrkit, who leaving his Ohio home in a very early day took up his residence on a farm on the St. Joseph river in St. Joseph county. The various representatives of the family have taken an active part in the development of this section of the state, aiding in transforming its wild lands into rich farms, and in other ways promoting the progress and advancement which made a once wild region the home of a contented, prosperous people.

George V. Byrkit, a son of this honored old St. Joseph pioneer, was born in Penn township of this county, and was here married to Susan Boles, a native of Ohio. Although he was a contractor, he purchased a farm near Rolling Prairie, on which he remained but a short time and then returned to Mishawaka and resumed his contracting business, while for a long period he was engaged in the making of wagon boxes for the Milburns. His death occurred when he had reached the fiftysixth milestone on the journey of life, when a noble and useful career was ended. During his lifetime he had served his native county in many positions of honor and trust, at one time having been its representative in the legislature, and he was well known throughout the community in which his entire life had been passed. Mr. and Mrs. Byrkit had but two children, a son and daughter, the latter, Jennie, being the wife of G. H. Uhler and a resident of Olympia, Washington.

Edmund B. Byrkit, the only representative of this honored pioneer family in St. Joseph county, was born on Rolling Prairie, Indiana, November 26, 1863, and was but six years of age when his parents returned to Mishawaka. where he was reared to years of maturity and received his education. After entering upon his business career he spent five years in Tacoma, Washington, in the grocery business, and on his return to IMishawaka was married to Laura Stinchcomb. a native of Ohio and a daughter of W. R. and Catherine (Elarton) Stinchcomb. Two sons have blessed this union, George W. and Harold E., both of whom were born in Mishawaka.

For a time after his marriage Mr. Byrkit was engaged in dairying on the old homestead farm, but after about eight years devoted to that occupation he platted the land and in 1893 placed on the market the Byrkit 's First Addition, in the same year erecting his present commodious and pleasant residence thereon, while two years later, in 1895, he platted Byrkit 's Second Addition, on w^hich he has erected several houses. He owns in all about one hundred and forty acres, the most of which is within the corporate limits of Mishawaka and all in one body. Thus he has been prominently identified with the development and advancement of Mishawaka, and while his varied interests have brought him success they have also advanced the general welfare. He is prominently associated with the Mishawaka Trust and Savings Company, of which he is one of the directors, and also has many other interests in St. Joseph county. But not only in business affairs is he well known, for he is active and earnest in his advocacy of all measures for the public good, and is a stanch Democrat in his political views. His fraternal relations are with the Masonic order in Mishawaka, whose beneficent and helpful principles he manifests in his every day life.

John Dixon. For many years John Dixon was a prominent figure in the business circles and at the bar of Mishawaka. By a life of uprightness, industry and honorable methods, a life devoted to the support of whatever was good and true, he won the admiration and regard of a large circle of acquaintances, who sincerely mourned his loss when he was called upon to lay aside the burdens, joys and sorrows which had fallen to his share, as to all, in the journey of life. His birth occurred in Gallipolis, Ohio, January 26, 1834, a son of Hezekiah and Malinda Dixon. When but a babe of one year he was brought by his parents to St. Joseph county, Indiana, where the father entered a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Penn township, and as the son grew older he assisted in the work of the homestead and attended the district schools near his home. At the age of eighteen years he began teaching school, following that profession until 1855. In the following year, 1856, he was united in marriage to Susan L. Laidlaw, a native of Penn township and the daughter of John Laidlaw, who was born near Edinburgh, Scotland, and was but a little lad of eight years when he accompanied his parents on their emigration to America. His father and mother died in New York, and he journeyed on to St. Joseph county when a young man, and was here married to Sallie Shaw, a native of Ohio. They became the parents of thirteen children, five sons and eight daughters, Mrs. Dixon being the eldest in order of birth. Mr. Laidlaw devoted his business life to agricultural pursuits, and in Penn township he cleared a large tract of land and w^as numbered among the leading farmers of the township. His life's labors were ended in death when he had reached the age of seventy-eight years, and thus ended a busy and useful career. His entire possessions were the result of ceaseless labor and unfaltering perseverance, for he began the battle of life with but fifty cents to his credit, but so honorable was his course and so persistent his efforts that at the time of his death he was worth one hundred thousand dollars. After his marriage Mr. Dixon farmed for seven years in Minnesota, but in 1863 returned to St. Joseph county and entered the mercantile business, becoming a member of the A. M. Wing Company. In 1865 he engaged in the dry goods business in company with his brother, but in the meantime he had been pursuing the study of law, and in 1873 was admitted to practice in the courts of Indiana. It was in 1875, two years after his admission to the bar, that he began the practice of his chosen profession, which was continued with such gratifying success until his useful life was ended in death. He gave his political support to the Republican party, and as its representative was four times elected to the office of justice of the peace. He was at one time a member of the order of Odd Fellows. He was a kind and loving husband, sympathetic and responsive to the needs of the poor and just and noble in all the relations of life.

John W. Harbou, the present auditor of St. Joseph county, has for many years been an honored citizen of South Bend, actively interested in all measures advanced for the good of the people, and has performed his full share in the development and improvement of the city. His birth occurred in Oneida county. New York, on the 24th of January, 1847, his parents being Fritz and Judith (Fritcher) Harbou. The father was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, but came to the United States when a young man, and ever afterward remained a loyal citizen of the republic.

John W. Harbou came to South Bend on the 16th of October, 1873, and for two years thereafter worked at his trade as a carpenter. He then became deputy clerk of the circuit court under George W. Mathews, continuing two years through the remainder of his term, for four years during the term of Edwin Nicar, then under Judge Howard for a period of six months, filling the position as deputy clerk six and a half years altogether. For four years after that time he served as justice of the peace, to which office he was duly elected. On the expiration of his term of office as justice of the peace he entered the employ of the Oliver Chilled Plow Works, serving in their office for fourteen years. On the 1st of January, 1903, he became the auditor of St. Joseph county, while in 1906 he was re-elected to that position, being the present incumbent. He is a stanch Republican in his political affiliations, and fraternally is a member of Lodge No. 45, F. & A. M., and the Chapter of the Masonic order, and of the orders of Elks and Owls.

Marshall Hughes, who is now filling the position of trustee of Portage township, was born at Three Rivers, St. Joseph county, Michigan, April 7, 1855. His parents, Jesse and Louisa (Adkinson) Hughes, were natives of the connnonwealth of Pennsylvania. In 1854 they establi.shed their home in St. Joseph county, ]\Iichigan, where they were engaged in agricultural pursuits near Three Rivers. During the last fortv-one vears of his life the father resided at Schoolcraft, Michigan, where his busy and useful life was ended at the age of eighty years, but he is still survived by his widow, who has reached the ripe old age of eighty-four years. In their family were twelve children, four of whom are now living, three sons and one daughter, namely : Frank, a resident of Lansing, Michigan; Dr. George A., of Cassopolis, that state ; Marshall, whose name introduces this review; and Emma, the wife of Bela Crose, of Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Marshall Hughes accompanied his parents on their removal from Three Rivers to Schoolcraft, being then about ten years of age, and in the schools of the last named city he received the beginning of his school training, this being later supplemented by attendance at the Kalamazoo Business College. With an excellent educational training to serve as the foundation for his future life work Mr. Hughes began learning the carpenter's trade, which he followed as an occupation for twelve years. On the expiration of that period he embarked in the grocery business in Marcellus, Michigan, in partnership with his brother Frank, but after about seven years of a prosperous business connection in that city their store was destroyed by fire. Mr. Hughes then turned his face westward and journeyed to Wichita, Kansas, where he remained for two years, and during the following four years was engaged in carpenter work in the Dakotas. During his residence there he was also for twelve and a half years lumber inspector. It was in 1887 that he came to South Bend, and during all the years which have since come and gone he has labored earnestly and energetically in its growth and 'upbuilding. He stalwartly upholds the principles of the Republican party, and a number of years ago" was elected trustee of the water works of this city, holding that position for one year or until the old city charter abandoned the office. In 1901 he was appointed to fill out the unexpired term of James D. Reed as trustee of Portage township, to which position he was elected in 1904, and is the present incumbent.

In 1890 Mr. Hughes was married to Alice Standerline, a native of St. Joseph county, Michigan, and a daughter of George Standerline. His fraternal affiliations are with the Masonic order of South Bend, the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Commandery ; the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, No.

235 ; the Knights of Pythias ; the South Bend Eastern Star; and the Grange. In his social and official relations he is popular and influential, and his life is characterized by great activity in the important things that concern the interests of society and g'ood government.

David B. J. Schafer. Honored and respected by all, David B. J. Schafer has been for many years prominently identified with the public aft'airs of St. Joseph county and is now serving as its efficient sheriff. He has long been an honored citizen of South Bend, actively interested in all measures advanced for the good of the people, and has performed his full share in the development and improvement of the city. He was born in Adams county, Indiana. February 21, 1859, a son of Christian and Catherine (Ahr) Schafer, both natives of Germany. The father was there born in 1810, and when nineteen years of age crossed the ocean to the United States, living for a number of years thereafter in Cleveland, Ohio,- when he removed to Adams county, Indiana. He was there actively engaged in agricultural pursuits from that time until his life's labors were ended in death, in 1886. The mother came with her parents to the United States when but three years old, the family home being first established in Ohio, where she resided until her marriage. This worthy couple continued to travel life's journey together for many years, and were numbered with the honored and valued residents of the localities in which their lots were cast.

David B. J. Schafer, whose name introduces this review, obtained his early educational training in the country schools, beingearly inured to the work of the fields, and he continued to reside on the farm until seventeen years old, when he removed to Decatur, Indiana, and obtained employment in a grocery store. After thus continuing for a few years he entered a railroad office and learned telegraphy, and in 1879 he came to South Bend and became an employe in the Studebaker works, where he remained for two years. In 1882 he entered the grocery business for himself, and for many years he has been prominently identified with the varied interests in St. Joseph county, in this time becoming recognized as one of its most valued and useful citizens. For four years Mr. Schafer served as the mayor of South Bend, for a time was census commissioner of the thirteenth congressional district, and in 1894 was elected sheriff, the duties of which high official position he is discharging at the present time. He is a Republican in his political affiliations, and is one of the most trusty advisers of his party in the county. He has filled the various offices to which he has been called with credit and distinction, and as sherifl: has given the county one of the best administrations in its history. He is a member of the Masonic order, Lodge No. 294, also of the Chapter and Commandery, and has membei'ship relations ' also with the Knights of Pythias, the Royal Arcanum and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

Alex Staples is well known to the residents of South Bend, for here he has passed his entire life, and here his parents lived for many decades. His birth occurred in the city of South Bend on the 10th of June, 1840, his father, Ralph Staples, a native of Maine, having taken up his abode here as early as 1836. The latter 's father, Alex Staples, was also a native of Maine, where he spent his entire life, and was of English descent. Ralph Staples, a contractor and carpenter, erected many of the large buildings and factories in South Bend, and was engaged in that occupation from 1836 until 1860. In 1861 he went to Pike's Peak, Colorado, where he was killed when about fifty years of age. He had taken an active part in the improvement and upbuilding of St. Joseph county, and his name is on the roll of its honored pioneers. He served as the postmaster of South Bend and as sheriff of St. Joseph county, and was at all times a public-spirited and loyal citizen. Mrs. Staples bore the maiden name of Hannah Cromwell, and was a daughter of Olen Cromwell, a native of Maine and a descendant of Oliver Cromwell. Her death occurred when she had reached the age of eighty-seven years. In their family were eleven children, nine sons and two daughters, three of whom died when young.

Alex Staples, the third child and second son in order of birth in the above family, was reared and educated in South Bend, and in his boyhood days learned the carpenter's trade, while in 1862 he was engaged in the house-moving business. In 1863 he enlisted in the Twenty-first Indiana Battery as a corporal, serving with his command until the close of the war in 1865, and during that time participated in many of the historical battles, including those of Nashville, Franklin and Columbia, Tennessee. Three of his brothers also took part in the struggle, all of whom returned home without having been wounded, and all are yet living. After his military career had ended Mr. Staples returned to South Bend and resumed his occupation of house moving, Avhich he continued for forty years, retiring from the active cares of business life in 1905 to enjoy the comforts which he had so richly earned.

In 1866 Mr. Staples Avas married to Selestia Alexander, whose death occurred in 1883, leaving two sons, Crawford E. and Guy D., both of South Bend. Mr. Staples afterward married Elniira Lytel. For sixty-six years he has made his home in South Bend, during which time he has witnessed its growth from a village of a few inhabitants to a population of fifty thousand, faithfully performing his full share in this wonderful transformation. He has been a life-long Democrat, has served as a member of the city council, as a commissioner of water works, as a member of the board of public works, for over forty years has been a member of the fire department, and is one of the three charter members of Auten Post, G. A. R. His religious connection is with the Presbyterian church.

Elias Rupel. Throughout his entire life Elias Rupel has been a resident of St. Joseph county, for he is one of its native sons, his birth occurring in Center township on the 23d of February, 1835, and throughout the subseciuent years he has been identified with many of the interests that have contributed to its substantial development and improvement. His sterling characteristics have won him the confidence of his fellow townsmen, and now, in the evening of life, his pathway is brightened by the veneration and respect which ever follow an upright career. In the days when St. Joseph county was a wilderness the parents, Peter and Christena (Schumaker) Rupel, became identified with its interests, and a more complete account of their history will be found in the sketch of their son Bazel elsewhere in this work.

Elias Rupel received his educational training in the primitive schools of Center township, for they were indeed primitive in those early days, and when a small boy he began assisting his widowed mother in the maintenance of her large family of children, remaining with her until she was called to her final rest. On January 29, 1885, he was married to Mary A. Lock, the widow of Wesley Barrett, and in the same year located in his pleasant home in South Bend, at 1421 South Michigan street. She died February 15, 1903. Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise he has supported the principles of the Democracy, and for four years served as the trustee of Center township, while for a time he was treasurer and clerk of Mylertown, which he assisted in organizing. He also assisted in the organization of the Grange, being now one of its charter members and an active worker in its ranks. No one in the community enjoys a better reputation for integrity of word or deed, and when a man stands high in the estimation of the people who have knowTi him during his entire life no greater testimonial to his worth can be given.

William Hughes Stull. No death caused more profound sorrow throughout the county than did the passing aw^ay of this venerable citizen, William Hughes Stull, for by long years of an honorable, upright life and kindly nature he had grown into the affections of. his fellow citizens to a marked degree. He was born on a farm near North Vernon, Jennings county, Indiana, February 28, 1826, his parents being Henry and Rebecca (Hughes) Stull, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of South Carolina. They were numbered among the earliest pioneers of St. Joseph county, for it was during the early year of 1830 that they established their home within its borders, eventually becoming numbered among its leading citizens. In their familv Avere eleven children, nine of AA'hom, three sons and six daughters, grcAV to years of maturity, and all were born in Indiana, while six of the number claimed St. Joseph county as the place of their nativity. The family journeyed hither from Jennings county, Indiana, in 1830, and in the folloAving year the father entered a farm from the government, going on horseback to Ft. Wayne to have the deed signed by AndreAV Jackson. As the years grew apace he cleared this farm, placed the fields under an excellent state of cultivation, and became one of the leading agriculturists of Portage township. In his political affiliations he was an old-line Whig, and w^as a prominent factor in the early history of St. Joseph county.

Remaining on the old homestead farm until twenty-one years of age, William H. Stull then began the battle of life for himself, his first employment being as a carpenter, and after folloAving that occupation for about four years he returned to the work of the farm, .starting Avith a small place of eighty acres ancl gradually adding to his possessions until he was the owner of one hundred and forty acres, all of which he had cleared and placed under an excellent state of cultivation. St. Joseph county claimed him among her leading and representative citizens, and .both in business and social circles he was well known and honored.

to Saphronia Day, who became the mother of two daughters, and died in 1862. In 1864 Mr. Stull was again married. Miss Nora Rohrer then becoming his wife. She was born in Center township, St. Joseph county, Indiana, December 9, 18-43. the daughter of John Rohrer, who was born in Ohio, but in 1830 came to St. Joseph county with his parents, where they entered land from the government. Their son John was married in this county to Charlotte Pickett, and Mrs. Stull is their only child. Mr. Rohrer followed the tilling of the soil as a life occupation, and was successful in his chosen calling, his name being well known throughout the county as a leading agriculturist. Throughout the period of his majority Mr. Stull was actively interested in all measures advanced for the good of the people, and was a zealous worker in the ranks of the Democratic party. In 1886 he was elected to represent his district in the state legislature, wherein he won the commendation of all concerned and when he was again placed in nomination he was elected with little opposition, and continued to fill the duties of that high and important position for three terms. He was also a valued member of the Grange. The death of this honored old St. Joseph pioneer occurred in 1899, leaving a wife and three daughters. His loss was deeply mourned throughout the conununity, and his memory is enshrined in the hearts of his old friends and associates, to whose interests he was ever faithful. Since her husband's death Mrs. Stull has erected a pleasant home on St. Joseph street, where she is spending the declining years of her beautiful and useful life surrounded by lifelong friends and associates.